Skyy

Skyy was an R&B band from Brooklyn, New York. The band formed in 1973 when the Dunning sisters (Denise, Delores & Bonnie) met musician Solomon Roberts Jr. Record producer\keyboardist Randy Muller (who was a member of music group Brass Construction and also an arranger for B.T. Express) later became involved with the band.

By 1976, the band’s line-up consisted of the Dunning Sisters as the female vocalists, Solomon as the male vocalist & guitarist, guitarist\keyboardist Anibal Anthony Sierra, keyboardist Larry Greenberg, bassist Gerald Lebon and drummer Tommy McConnell. Skyy later signed to Salsoul Records.
In 1979, Skyy released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #177 on the Billboard 200 and #40 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single from the album “First Time Around” peaked at #50 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #20 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart (staying on the chart for 14 weeks).
The follow-up single “Let’s Turn It Out” peaked at #65 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart (staying on the chart for only 9 weeks).
In 1980, the band released their sophomore album “Skyyway” which peaked at #61 on the Billboard 200 and #17 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The lead single “High” peaked at #102 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #26 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #13 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart (staying on the chart for 16 weeks).
The follow-up single “Skyzoo” peaked at #41 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #32 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart (staying on the chart for 11 weeks).
During that same year, Skyy released their third album “Skyyport” which peaked at #85 on the Billboard 200 and #16 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single from the album “Here’s to You” peaked at #24 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #23 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart (staying on the chart for 18 weeks).
The follow-up single “Super Love” peaked at #31 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart (staying on the chart for 10 weeks).
In 1981, Skyy released their fourth album “Skyy Line” which peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200 and topped Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single from the album “Call Me” reached the pop charts, peaking at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also topped Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart for two weeks in February of 1982 and peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.
The second single “Let’s Celebrate” peaked at #16 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart (staying on the chart for 15 weeks).
The last single from the album “When You Touch Me” peaked at #43 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 10 weeks).
In 1982, Skyy released their fifth album “Skyyjammer” which peaked at #81 on the Billboard 200 and #22 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single from the album “Movin’ Violation” peaked at #26 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 14 weeks).
The follow-up single “Let Love Shine” peaked at #41 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #39 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 9 weeks).
In 1983, the band released their sixth album “Skyylight” which peaked at #183 on the Billboard 200 and #44 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single from the album “Bad Boy” which peaked at #33 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 11 weeks).
The second single “Show Me the Way” which peaked at #10 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #35 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 11 weeks).
The last single from the album “Married Man” failed to make any impact on the charts at all.
In 1984, Skyy released their seventh album “Inner City” which didn’t appear to chart at all on the Billboard 200 or R&B Albums chart.
The only single to chart was “Dancin’ to Be Dancin'” which peaked at #49 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 10 weeks). After Salsoul Records folded in 1985, Skyy signed with Capitol Records.
In 1986, Skyy released their eighth album “From the Left Side” which peaked at #33 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single “Givin’ It To You” peaked at #42 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #8 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 17 weeks).

The follow-up singles “Non Stop” and “Love Illogical” failed to make any impact on the Billboard charts at all. After that, the band left Capitol Records and later signed with Atlantic Records.
In 1989, Skyy released their ninth album “Start of a Romance” which peaked at #155 on the Billboard 200 and #16 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The title song became a hit, topping Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart for 2 weeks in May of 1989. It also peaked at #41 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #18 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
The follow-up single “Love All the Way” peaked at #47 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 7 weeks).
The last single from the album “Real Love” became another number-one R&B hit for Skyy, topping Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart for a week in February of 1990. The song also peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1992, Skyy released their last album to date “Nearer to You” which peaked at #52 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single from the album “Up and Over (Stronger and Better)” peaked at #16 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart (staying on the chart for 14 weeks).

The title song peaked at #73 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart (staying on the chart for 5 weeks). After that, it seemed as if Skyy had faded into obscurity.

These days, the Dunning sisters continue to perform under the name “Ladies of Skyy.” Larry Greenberg continues to perform in New Jersey. It’s unknown what the other members of Skyy are up to these days.

To see a fan-made video for “First Time Around,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Let’s Turn It Out,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “High,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Skyzoo,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Here’s to You,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Super Love,” go to:

To see the music video for “Call Me,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Let’s Celebrate,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “When You Touch Me,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Movin’ Violation,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Let Love Shine,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Bad Boy,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Show Me the Way,” go to:

To see a video for “Dancin’ to be Dancin’,” go to:

To see the music video for “Givin’ It To You,” go to:

To see the music video for “Start of a Romance,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Love All the Way,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Real Love,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Up and Over (Stronger and Better),” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Nearer to You,” go to:

David Black

David Black (born in San Francisco, California) was an R&B singer from the early ’90s. Not much information is given about him, but he was signed to Bust It Records.
In 1992, he released his only album “Loving Ain’t Easy” which peaked at #41 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single from the album “Nobody But You” peaked at #17 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks, becoming his highest chart appearance on the R&B chart to date.
The follow-up single “It’s My Nature” peaked at #75 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.

After that, it seems as if David faded into obscurity. It’s unknown what he’s up to these days.

To see the music video for “Nobody But You,” go to:

To see the music video for “It’s My Nature,” go to:

One Cause One Effect

One Cause One Effect were a male-female hip-hop\rap duo that consisted of Terrance “One Cause” Davis and Treasure “One Effect” Shields Redmond from Meridian, Mississippi.

The duo met in high school and after graduating, they moved to California, hoping to become successful. After meeting MC Hammer, Terrance became a back-up rapper for him which lead to a record deal with Capitol Records.

In 1990, they released their debut album “Drop the Axxe” which peaked at #51 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The duo released their first single “Turntable Genius” which failed to make any impact on the charts at all.

The second single from the album “Up With Hope, Down With Dope” peaked at #77 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

The last single from the album “Midnite Lover” (featuring B Angie B) peaked at #58 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the hart for 11 weeks, becoming One Cause One Effect’s highest chart appearance on the R&B chart to date.

Later on, Treasure extensively worked with MC Hammer protegees, Oaktown 3-5-7 on their sophomore album, co-writing songs & providing backup vocals. Terrance and Treasure eventually left the music business & went their separate ways.

Terrance moved back to Meridian where he works as an occasional music producer & a water meter reader. Treasure moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she works as an assistant English professor and a published poet.

To see the music video for “Up With Hope, Down With Dope,” go to:
http://www.artistdirect.com/video/one-cause-one-effect-up-with-hope-down-with-dope/43176

To see the music video for “Midnite Lover,” go to:

DBG’z

DBG’z (which stands for Dank Brew Gunz) is a hip-hop group from Detroit, Michigan were a hip-hop trio.
In 1993, they released their only album “P’hissed Off” on Bust It Records. It’s unknown how or if it ever charted.
The only charting single from the album was “Bang Bang Boogie” which peaked at #43 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart and #99 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.
The follow-up single from the album “Body Lika M.F.” failed to make any impact on the charts at all.
DBG’z released one last single “Gotta Be Me” in 1994 before fading into obscurity. It’s unknown what they are up to these days.

To see the music video for “Bang Bang Boogie,” go to:

To see the music video for “Body Lika M.F.,” go to:

Cosmic Slop Shop

Cosmic Slop Shop was a rap trio from Oakland, California that consisted of Big Lurch (born Atron Singleton on September 15, 1976 in Fort Worth, Texas), Doonie Baby (born Marvin Selmon) & Rick Rock (born Ricardo Thomas).

Their name comes from Funkadelic’s 1973 album “Cosmic Slop.” The trio met at Slop Shop Studios in the San Francisco Bay area. Music producer James Mtume signed them to his record label in the summer of 1998.
In 1998, Cosmic Slop Shop released their debut (and only) album “Da Family” which didn’t make any album charts.
The only single to chart form the album was “Sinful” which peaked at #18 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart and #66 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

By 1999, Cosmic Slop Shop disbanded. Rick Rock became a music producer, producing music for artists such as Busta Rhymes, Will Smith, E-40, Xzibit and Erick Sermon.

In 2002, Rick and Doonie Baby formed a rap group called The Federation in which they released two albums before disbanding in 2007.

Unfortunately, Big Lurch’s career took a dark turn; on April l0, 2002, he brutally murdered his girlfriend in Los Angeles, California. In November of 2003, he was sentenced to life in prison and is currently incarcerated.

To see the music video for “Sinful,” go to:

Amanda Ghost

Amanda Ghost (born Amanda Louisa Gosein from Enfield, North London, England) is a female singer-songwriter whose career first became well-known in the 2000s.

At a young age, Amanda was encouraged to play guitar. She later studied at the London College of Fashion & started performing in North London’s club circuit.

She started collaborating & writing music with EMF’s Ian Dench & Mount Rushmore’s Lucas Barton. Amanda was later signed to Warner Bros. Records.
In May of 2000, Amanda released her debut single “Filthy Mind” which peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart & #43 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
In August of 2000, she released her follow-up single “Glory Girl.” It’s unknown how or if the single ever charted.
In September of 2000, Amanda released her debut album “Ghost Stories” which didn’t appear to make any album charts.
The third single from the album “Idol” peaked at #18 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart & Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. It also peaked at #63 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The last single from the album “Silver Lining” peaked at #31 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart. In 2004, Amanda was featured on Dark Globe’s single “Break My World” which managed to peak at #52 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Amanda didn’t release anything solo until 2006 when she released a limited edition EP called “Blood on the Line” on her own record label, Plan A Records.

As a songwriter, she has written songs for artists such as James Blunt, Jordin Sparks, Shakira and Beyonce.

In February of 2009, Amanda became the new president of Epic Records, but left in 2010. These days, she is the CEO of her own record label, Outsiders.

To see the music video for “Filthy Mind,” go to:

To see the music video for “Glory Girl,” go to:

To see the music video for “Idol,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Silver Lining,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Break My World,” go to:

Mystery Assignment

Mystery Assignment was an dance\R&B music act from the ’80s. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to Emergency Records.

In 1985, they released the single “Cloud Nine.” It’s unknown how or if the song ever charted.

After that, it seems as if Mystery Assignment has faded into obscurity. Not much has been heard about them since.

To see a fan-made video for “Cloud Nine,” go to:

Sugar Kay & The Mighty Three

Sugar Kay & The Mighty Three were a hip-hop music act from the ’80s. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to Specific Records.

In 1984, they released their only single “Rock On” which didn’t appear to make much impact on the Billboard charts.

After that, it seems as if Sugar Kay & The Mighty Three faded into obscurity. Their whereabouts are unknown.

To see a fan-made video for “Rock On,” go to:

Animotion

Animotion is a pop\new wave band from Los Angeles, California.

The original line-up consisted of lead singer Astrid Plane, lead singer\guitarist Bill Wadhams, bassist Charles Ottavio, drummer David “Frenchy” O’Brien, lead guitarist Don Kirkpatrick and keyboardist Paul Antonelli.

Originally, Astrid, Paul, Charles & David were members of a band called Red Zone and after Red Zone disbanded, they formed Animotion.
In 1984, Animotion released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200.
Their first single “Obsession” became a hit, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #35 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. It also peaked at #5 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The follow-up single from the album “Let Him Go” was moderately successful, peaking at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 and managed to peak at #78 on the U.K. Singles chart.
In 1986, Animotion released their sophomore album “Strange Behavior” which peaked at #71 on the Billboard 200. By that time, session keyboardist Greg Smith became a member of Animotion.
The lead single from the album “I Engineer” was successful in Europe, but in the United States, it only managed to peak at #76 on the Billboard Hot 100, #22 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #27 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.
The follow-up single “I Want You” flopped, peaking at #84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was moderately successful in Germany.

Between 1986 and 1987, Animotion extensively toured, appearing with artists such as Phil Collins, Howard Jones, Simply Red & INXS.

While the group was recording their third album, they went through various line-up changes & Astrid, Charles & Bill eventually left the group.

Actress\singer Cynthia Rhodes (known for her role in the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing”) replaced Astrid Plane as the lead female singer in Animotion while Paul Engemann (a former member of pop-rock group Device) replaced Bill Wadhams as the lead male singer in the group.
In 1989, Animotion released the single “Room to Move” which became a hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was also featured in the film “My Stepmother is an Alien.”
The song’s title was also the title of Animotion’s third album, which flopped on the Billboard album charts. By the time it was released, Don Kirkpatrick & Paul Engemann were the only original members that remained in the group.
The follow-up single from the album “Calling it Love” peaked at #53 on the Billboard Hot 100. After the release of their third album, Animotion disbanded.

Not much was heard from Animotion until February 8, 2001 when they responded to a request from Alex Hart and Portland, Oregon radio station 94.7 NRK & performed for a sold-out crowd.

Since then, Astrid, Bill, Don and Greg continue performing as Animotion along with drummer Kevin Rankin & Bill Wadham’s son Chris (who is a bass player).

To see the music video for “Obsession,” go to:

To see a fan-made video for “Turn Around,” go to:

To see the music video for “Let Him Go,” go to:

To see the music video for “I Engineer,” go to:

To see the music video for “I Want You,” go to:

To see the music video for “Room to Move,” go to:

To see the music video for “Calling it Love,” go to: